Bollywood’s once-dominant production house, Dharma Productions, is going through a challenging phase. Once known for delivering iconic love stories and launching fresh talent under the creative vision of Karan Johar, the banner has recently seen more failures than hits — especially in the post-pandemic era.
In earlier years, a Dharma film carried the promise of strong storytelling, glamorous visuals, and emotional depth. Karan Johar himself was credited with shaping the careers of many top stars and influencing the Hindi film industry with his signature blend of romance and drama. However, the recent output from the banner hasn’t resonated with newer audiences, and the buzz surrounding Dharma releases has visibly declined.
Even when Karan Johar directs a film today, the anticipation that once followed his name appears muted. Social media has also turned critical, with many claiming that Johar’s recent creative choices have failed to reflect the evolving tastes of today’s audience. Some critics argue that his approach is stuck in the past, and his recent scripts lack the originality or emotional impact expected from a filmmaker of his stature.
Though he has long expressed interest in directing an action film, sources suggest he has now passed that project to another director and opted to stay behind the scenes as a producer. Despite his influence, recent productions under the Dharma banner — such as Dhadak 2 — failed to strike a chord, underperforming at the box office even with recognisable leads and promising premises. Many reviews pointed to execution rather than concept as the reason for the film’s failure.
There’s now growing concern among fans that Karan Johar is hesitating to take creative risks, reducing his output in response to recent setbacks. However, hope remains strong. Many believe that one compelling commercial love story, perhaps like the long-awaited Saira, could reignite Dharma’s former glory and reconnect the brand with its core audience. For now, fans wait patiently, eager for the comeback of the filmmaker who once defined an era.
